If you’re new to email marketing, you may not be aware of the importance of domain warmup. Simply put, domain warmup is the process of gradually increasing the volume of emails sent from a new or inactive domain, in order to establish a positive reputation with email service providers (ESPs) and avoid being flagged as spam.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to safely warming up your domain:
- Start slow and steady: Begin by sending a small volume of emails to a highly engaged and opted-in audience. This will help you build a positive reputation with ESPs and ensure your emails land in subscribers’ inboxes.
- Gradually increase volume: Once you’ve established a positive reputation with ESPs, you can gradually increase the volume of emails sent over time. However, it’s important to be patient and not rush the process, as sending too many emails too quickly can trigger spam filters.
- Monitor your metrics: Keep a close eye on your email engagement metrics, such as open rates and click-through rates. If you notice a decline in engagement, it may be a sign that you need to slow down your domain warmup process.
- Maintain list hygiene: As you ramp up your email volume, make sure to maintain good list hygiene by regularly cleaning out inactive and unengaged subscribers. This will help keep your reputation healthy and avoid being flagged as spam.
By following these steps and taking a patient and measured approach to domain warmup, you can establish a positive reputation with ESPs and maximize the deliverability and effectiveness of your email marketing efforts.